Tuesday, November 30, 2021

The Jetsons: A Jetson Christmas Carol: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 Title(s):  "A Jetson Christmas Carol"

AdaptationFeaturing the voice of as George Jetson

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  
FRI, 13 DEC 1985 U.S.A.
 
My Rating*****(Favorite)

Format Reviewed
animated film, on VHS
 
Runtime:  22 minutes 
 
Availability:  
As of November 27, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $10 U.S. Dollars.

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 
No.

Is this adaptation reverent? 
No, this adaptation is not particularly reverent.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?
No.

What does my wife think of
this adaptation?
She thinks it's "cute" and "nostalgic."

Where and when does this adaptation take place?
A science fictional Orbit City, circa 2060.
 
What language and/or dialects are used?  
American English

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?
In this adaptation, "the Scrooge" is Mr. George Jetson's boss, Mr. Cosmo Spacely, the owner of Spacely Space Sprockets, Inc., and George is the "Bob Cratchit." The "Tiny Tim" is the Jeston's dog, Astro, who  opens his Christmas present early, on Christmas Eve; it's a robotic cat, so he chases it until he breaks it, and accidentally swallows one of its Spacely Sprockets. (All toys, in this film, are made with Spacely Sprockets.) 
 
Mr. Spacely has visions of four ghosts:  Mr. Marsley, his former partner, and the usual Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, although two of them look more like computers than people, and the Ghost of Christmas Present looks like a large, gift-wrapped box, or "Christmas present."

Spacely remains unimpressed or unintimidated by the Ghosts of Christmas, until the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows him that George will be wealthy and he, Cosmo, will be penniless, after George sues him because of the death of his dog, due to swallowing the sprocket.

Spacely wakes up on Christmas morning, and drags his personal veterinarian out of bed, and takes him to the Jetson residence, where they are unable to get a veterinarian to attend their dog because of the Christmas holiday.

Spacely's veterinarian simply has Astro open wide, then reaches down his throat and pulls the sprocket out, after which Astro recovers completely.

Mr. Spacely leaves Christmas presents for various members of the Jetson family, including a "rocket roll guitar" for Elroy, nuclear roller skates for Judy, Moon Gold perfume for Mrs. Jetson, a Sterling silver apron for their robotic maid, and edible aliens the approximate size of gummy bears, for one of their other pets. 

Then he departs as the Jetsons sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  
No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 
Yes, this film features ghosts and time travel.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  
No.

Is this adaptation a musical?  
No.
 
What songs and/or dances are included?  
The Jetson theme song is included, as with every episode of "The Jetsons," and, as mentioned above, the Jetsons sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," for the grand finale.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  
The art work for this animated film are excellent.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?
The transitions are adequate. They include kaleidoscopes and explosions, as well as the usual "cuts."
 
What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  
Several flight scenes are included, since this story takes place in a future in which people usually fly instead of driving wheeled vehicles over the terrain, but none of the flight scenes are particularly impressive.  
 
What use is made of background extras?  
Animated background extras appear where appropriate; for example, at Mr. Jetson's office party.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 
The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, that it's a futuristic cartoon.
 

What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 
The VHS tape has ads at the end.

Test your knowledge of this adaptation by taking these quizzes:


 
 
Quiz  4 of 4
    
Review and quizzes by William Mortensen Vaughan



Saturday, November 27, 2021

The Honeymooners Christmas Carol (1977): Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 


Title
The Honeymooners Christmas Carol

AdaptationStarring as Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim; and as Bob Cratchit

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  
MON, 28 NOV 1977
 
My Rating***(Offensive Favorite)

Format Reviewed
live-action film, on DVD
 
Runtime:  49 minutes
 
Availability:  
As of November 9, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $15 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 
No, this adaptation is not particularly reverent.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?
No.
 
Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 
No.

What does my wife think of
this adaptation?
She thinks it's "not that great."

Where and when does this adaptation take place?
Brooklyn, New York, circa 1975.
 
What language and/or dialects are used?  
American English.

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?
This adaptation does not follow the original novel very closely. It's framed as a play put on by two married couples (Ralph and Alice Kramden, and Ed and Trixie Norton), for charity, to feed New York City's stray cats, because Ralph's boss' wife is fond of cats. Ralph directs the play, as a favor for his boss, hoping that his boss will reward him with a promotion.

Ralph and his wife play Bob Cratchit and his wife; Mrs. Norton plays their thirteen-year-old daughter; Mr. Norton plays their ten-year-old son, Tiny Tim, as well as eighty-year-old Ebenezer Scrooge.

A town crier and a half dozen Christmas carolers also make appearances.

There are no ghosts.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  
No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 
No.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  
Yes.  (See above.)

Is this adaptation a musical?  
No.
 
What songs and/or dances are included?  
Carolers sing "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen!"

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  
The visual art is adequate.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?
The transitions are adequate.
 
What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  
N/A
 
What use is made of background extras?  
The first scene opens in a locker room with four men in it. A half dozen carolers sing "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen!" in the play.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 
The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, that there are no ghosts in it.
 

What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 
The DVD has optional, English subtitles. It also includes an additional episode of "The Honeymooners," and an interview with Jane Kean, who plays Trixie Norton as Mrs. Cratchit.

Test your knowledge of this adaptation by taking these quizzes:

Quiz  1 of 11

Quiz  2 of 11
 
Quiz  3 of 11
 
Quiz  4 of 11
 
Quiz  5 of 11
 
Quiz  6 of 11
 
Quiz  7 of 11
 
Quiz  8 of 11 
 
Quiz  9 of 11
 
Quiz 10 of 11 
 
Quiz 11 of 11 
   
Review and quizzes by William Mortensen Vaughan

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

The Ghost & Mrs. Muir: The Ghost of Christmas Past (1969): Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 


Title
:  "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir":  
"The Ghost of Christmas Past"

AdaptationStarring as Claymore Gregg (the Scrooge) and an ancient Claymore Gregg (also a Scrooge); as "the Ghost"; and as Mrs. Muir

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  
THU, 25 DEC 1969 U.S.A.
 
My Rating*****(Favorite)

Format Reviewed
live-action film, streamed from YouTube
 
Runtime:  30 minutes
 
Availability:  
As of November 9, 2021, copies of this television series, on DVD/VHS, are available, online, for approximately $30 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 
This adaptation is somewhat reverent; it is suitable for general audiences, and includes the hymns, "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night."

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?
Yes, when carolers sing "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen!"
 
Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 
No.

What does my wife think of
this adaptation?
She enjoyed it; in fact, she's the one who recommended it to me!

Where and when does this adaptation take place?
Victorian England and the fictional fishing village of Schooner Bay, Maine, circa 1975
 
What language and/or dialects are used?  
American English.

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?
This adaptation doesn't follow the original version very well.  The story is an episode of the television series "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," starring Hope Lange as Mrs. Muir, and Edward Mulhare as the ghost of Captain Daniel Gregg.

In this episode, Claymore Gregg (Charles Nelson Reilly), is "the Scrooge," refusing to sell Mrs. Muir a Christmas Tree for what she considers a reasonable price.  After she leaves his tree lot without buying a tree, Mr. Claymore discovers an abandoned infant in his car, which he decides to leave with Mrs. Muir.

She goes to bed on Christmas Eve, and dreams about a version of herself with Captain Gregg approximately one hundred years prior (circa 1870).  She plays the role of the previous Claymore's niece and employee - essentially Fred and Bob in one character.  She also ends up with an abandoned infant.

The previous Mr. Claymore goes to bed on Christmas Eve, and is visited by the Voice of the Conscience He Used to Have, instead of any Marley or Ghosts of Christmas.  As a result, he becomes a nicer person on Christmas morning.

Still in Mrs. Muir's dream, she receives a present from Captain Gregg in the form of a metal rattle, from the Bay of Tunis, for the baby she has taken in.

Later, her dream ends with a romantic kiss that Captain Gregg shares with her.

Then Mrs. Muir wakes up and soon discovers that the baby has a metal rattle just like (or perhaps the same rattle) as the one in her dream.  She also discovers that her maid, Martha (Reta Shaw), Claymore, and her own two children, have had similar dreams.  The Ghost of Captain Gregg finally admits that he is the culprit, and that the dreams are his Christmas presents to them.

Claymore has a change of heart, and gives Mrs. Muir a Christmas Tree for free.

Martha also fields a phone call from the local constable, informing her that the mother claimed the baby, whom his brother had mistakenly placed in Claymore's car, and is en route to retrieve him.

The episode ends as Claymore asks the Ghost if the infant in the dreams is his ancestor, and the Captain answers by asking how he could do such a thing to a child, even in a dream.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  
No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 
Yes.  It's about a ghost with magical powers, similar to Jeannie in "I Dream of Jeannie" and Samantha in "Bewitched."

Is this adaptation "framed"?  
Yes, this version is framed within a modern Mrs. Muir's dream, with a parallel in her modern reality; both the reality and the dream include a Claymore who is a "Scrooge" who reforms.

Is this adaptation a musical?  
No.
 
What songs and/or dances are included?  
Music by George Greeley.  Carolers sing "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Silent Night," "Deck the Halls," and "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen!"

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  
The set and wardrobe are adequate, and typical of the 'Sixties.  looks a lot like Vincent Price.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?
The transitions are adequate.
 
What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  
N/A
 
What use is made of background extras?  
(Give specific examples of scenes with adequate or inadequate numbers of background extras.)

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 
For me, the most remarkable thing about this adaptation is that the Ghosts of Marley and Christmas are replaced by the voice of a conscience, which is able to change Claymore's attitude so quickly and easily!
 

What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 
N/A

Dr. Who: A Christmas Carol (2010): Review by William Mortensen Vaughan


 TitleDr. Who:  A Christmas Carol

AdaptationStarring as Kazran Sardick (the Scrooge) and Elliot Sardick; as The Doctor

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  
SAT, 25 DEC 2010 U.K. & U.S.A.
 
My Rating***(Offensive Favorite)

Format Reviewed
live-action film, on DVD
 
Runtime:  1 hour 2 minutes
 
Availability:  
As of November 9, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $15 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 
This adaptation is somewhat reverent, in that it seems to focus on the importance of human lives, and even the life of a potentially man-woman-and-child-eating shark.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?
[T.B.D.]
 
Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 
[T.B.D.]

What does my wife think of
this adaptation?
She thinks "it's weird."

Where and when does this adaptation take place?
On a futuristic planet, owned and operated by a Scrooge-like despot named Kazran Sardick, who is capable of freezing family members as collateral for debts, and reviving them years later.  He is also unimpressed by (and unconcerned with) Earthling spaceships entering his planet's atmosphere, and crashing and burning on its surface.
 
What language and/or dialects are used?  
British English.

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?
This adaptation does not follow the original novel very closely.  Kazran Sardick is "the Scrooge."  A spaceship from Earth enters the angry fish filled cloud cover he maintains over the planet he rules.  The spaceship is about to crash, and several people beg for his assistance, but he insists on letting the Earthlings crash and die.  Dr. Who (Matt Smith) arrives and, in addition to begging for the Earthlings' lives, plays the role of the Ghost of Christmas Past, showing Kazran why he became the way he is.  By traveling through time, he meets Kazran as a boy (Laurence Belcher), and, returning every Christmas Eve for years, cultivates a friendship, and a romance between a young, adult Kazran (Danny Horn) and one of the people, Abigail (Katherine Jenkins) he kept frozen as collateral against her family's debt.  Dr. Who and Kazran unfreeze Abigail each Christmas Eve, and party together, then refreeze her.

Eventually, Kazran discovers that Abigail has a set number of days to live, and the next day Abigail is released, she will die.  This makes him a bitter man again, and he refuses to release Abigail again, and takes his frustration out on everyone else on his planet.

But Dr. Who needs Kazran to release Abigail to sing, soothe the angry sky fish, and save the Earthlings' spaceship.  Somehow, he persuades Kazran to release Abigail, let her sing, and enjoy her last Christmas Eve with him as best she can.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  
No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 
No, it's more science fictional than supernatural.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  
No.

Is this adaptation a musical?  
No.
 
What songs and/or dances are included?  
Music by Murray Gold. Abigail sings what sounds like opera music, which soothes the angry sky fish.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  
The sets, wardrobe, and special effects are good.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?
The transitions are creative, startling, and intense.  Dr. Who turns up in startling places.  It's easy to understand why Kazran becomes frustrated with him after ordering his henchmen to remove him from his home office, only to discover removing him is virtually impossible.
 
What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  
The Doctor takes Kazran and Abigail on an aerial sleigh ride.  
 
What use is made of background extras?  
Adequate use is made of background extras.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 
This is perhaps the most complicated adaptation of A Christmas Carol I've ever seen.  It requires its viewers to pay close attention in order to follow what's going on.
 

What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 
Scene selection and optional, English subtitles are available.  Two featurettes are included:  "Dr. Who Confidential Christmas Special 2010" and "Dr. Who at the Proms 2010."

Monday, November 8, 2021

An All Dogs Christmas Carol: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 

TitleAn All Dogs Christmas Carol

AdaptationFeaturing the voice of as Carface (the Scrooge)

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  
TUE, 17 NOV 1998
 
My Rating***** (Favorite)

Format Reviewed
animated film, on DVD
 
Runtime:  1 hour 13 minutes
 
Availability:  
As of November 8, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD/VHS, are available, online, for approximately $5 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 
Yes.  It's about angel dogs in dog heaven.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?
Yes. (See below.)
 
Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 
Yes, Timmy says, "God bless us everyone!"

What does my wife think of
this adaptation?
She enjoyed it, and thinks it's one of the most unique versions of A Christmas Carol she has ever seen.

Where and when does this adaptation take place?
San Francisco, California, circa 2000.
 
What language and/or dialects are used?  
American English.

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?
This adaptation does not follow the original novel very closely.  It is based on characters in the animated, feature-length films All Dogs Go to Heaven and its sequel.

A dog named Carface (voice of Ernest Borgnine) is the equivalent of Scrooge.  Timmy (Taylor Emerson), a puppy with a splint on one of its hind legs, is the equivalent of Tiny Tim, but is not the offspring of any of Carface's employees.  Carface has a sidekick, Killer (Lidsville's Charles Nelson Reilly), but his sidekick doesn't seem to have a family, other than Carface's crime family.

Carface has a boss, a flying dog named Belladonna (Bebe Neuwirth).  Belladonna is the evil cousin of Anabelle (also Bebe Neuwirth).  Belladonna and Anabelle have bodies like greyhounds, but feminine hairstyles on their heads, and wings like Pegasus.  Anabelle is apparently an archangel in dog heaven, and Belladonna, a witch, on Earth.  Belladonna devises an evil plan to take over all the dogs in San Francisco on Christmas Eve.  This evil plan involves a gargantuan dog whistle, which will hypnotize all of the dogs in the city, and will influence them to take their masters' Christmas presents to a certain location, where Belladonna intends to let Carface take possession of them.  She's not interested in the loot, just the satisfaction of ruining Christmas.

There are also two or three guardian angels, in the form of mutts Charlie Barkin (Steven Weber) and Itchy Itchiford (Dom DeLuise) (perhaps a Basset Hound), and another greyhound with a feminine hairdo, Sasha (Sheena Easton).  They throw a Christmas charity party to raise money for the operation Timmy needs.

Carface and Killer show up, and, using a magical dog whistle, rob them of their presents, bones, and the few coins they've collected for Timmy.

Charlie, trying to impress Sasha, takes Itchy to get the stolen goods back, but Carface outsmarts them repeatedly, and, after over-confidently revealing her evil plan, Belladonna sics her firy minions on them, so, when they are trying to decide what to do next, Anabelle intervenes, giving Charlie a magic amulet, which he discovers will allow him, Itchy, and Sasha to portray the Ghosts of Christmas Future, Past, and Present, respectively, but in chronological order, in Carface's dreams, on Christmas Eve, after Carface's alarm is set to wake him up in time to play his role in Belladonna's diabolical plot to ruin Christmas in San Francisco.

Carface, after seeing visions of Timmy, is so touched by how similar Timmy is to himself, that he has a change of heart, and betrays Belladonna.  Then Anabelle steps in to save Carface from Belladonna.  Then Carface gives back the presents he stole, as well as more presents, and enough money to cover Timmy's operation.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  No.
(If so, explain; e.g., A Christmas Carol II:  The Sequel, shows Scrooge and Cratchit during a Christmastime at least a year after the original story took place.)

Is this adaptation supernatural? 
Yes.  It includes angels and witchcraft, as well as magical ghosts.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  
Yes, this story is told to angel puppies in dog heaven by an angel named Anabelle.

Is this adaptation a musical?  
Yes.
 
What songs and/or dances are included?  
Music by Mark Watters. At least three original musical numbers are included:  A Christmas duet by a Chihuahua with a Hispanic accent, and, I believe, a Scotty dog; an autobiographical ballad by Carface; and a diabolical duet by Killer and Belladonna.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  
The art is excellent!

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?
The transitions are adequate.
 
What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  
N/A 
 
What use is made of background extras?  
N/A

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 
The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, how "far out" it is from the original novel, while still incorporating a Scrooge, a Timmy, and three Ghosts of Christmas.  There's even a Martha, in the human form of Timmy's owner.
 

What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 
Scene Selection, and a Sing Along section are available; audio and subtitles are available in French and English.